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Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Round 20 Tips - No surprises here

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: Tue 15 Jul 2025 18:04

In the anticipated Round 20 NRL match, the Penrith Panthers, despite resting key Origin players Nathan Cleary and Isiah Yeo, are expected to secure a routine win against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Panthers' formidable defense, conceding only 11.6 points per game in their last five, contrasts starkly with the struggling Rabbitohs, who face a 0-6 losing streak and have been plagued by injuries. Expect Penrith to capitalize on Souths' defensive weaknesses, especially on their right side, with Tom Jenkins poised for a standout performance.

Jeremy Darke 15 Jul 2025
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  • Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs expert predictions for Friday’s Round 20 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 8:00 PM (AEST) at CommBank Stadium
  • Panthers boast strong defence, conceding only 11.6 points in their last 5.
  • Rabbitohs struggle with injuries, losing last 6 games by 12.8 points avg.
Jez's tips for Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction


Despite resting a couple of Origin stars this will be another routine win for the Panthers, or maybe better said, a routine loss for Souths. Either way, Penrith will cover the line with their defensive holding strong.
Panthers vs Rabbitohs Round 20 NRL Cheat Sheet
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  • Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Penrith Panthers Form Analysis 
  • Penrith Panthers Team News
  • Penrith Panthers Team List
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis 
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List
  • Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

Nathan Cleary and Isiah Yeo will miss this match with the Panthers in the capable hands of Brad Schneider who has steered the ship through Origin. It is no surprise that Ivan Cleary feels comfortable resting his son and captain with South in all sorts of injury trouble that has them as the worst defensive team in the comp over the last 5 matches. 

The Panthers defensive line on the other hand is back to its dynasty best if you look at the raw number of points conceded, leading the comp with an opposition average of just 11.6 points in their last 5 games. 

That will be the difference in this match, so expect the Rabbits to stay under 18.5 points, which is a common trend against Penrith in their head to head record. 

The right side defence of Souths is the worst of the two and Tom Jenkins has continued to be a try scoring threat for the Panthers on the left and will be in for a big night again against Souths. 

  • The Rabbitohs have lost their last 6 matches by an average margin of 12.8 points.
  • Penrith have conceded an average of 11.6 points in their last 5 matches.
  • Souths have scored 18 points or less in 12 of their last 15 games against Penrith.
  • Souths concede 47% of their tries on the right-hand side  

Head to Head 


Souths got up 28-18 against the Panthers back in Round 4 with Keaon Koloamatangi crossing for a double in that match.

The head to head record is very lopsided though with the Panthers winning 12 of 16 matches since the 2019 season.

Penrith Panthers Form Analysis 


The Panthers are on a five-game roll and have slotted back into 6th on the ladder, recovering from their horrid start to the season. 

It is all about defence for the Panthers who have held their opponents to just 11.6 points per game in their last 5 matches, obviously first in the comp in that stat during the short timeframe. It is exactly what the Panthers have built their dynasty on over the last 5 years so it is a huge warning sign for the rest of the comp.

The Panthers will rest Cleary and Yeo this week which will put some pressure on their match, however, they have survived the Origin period with 5 wins and things should be pretty routine this week. 

Penrith Panthers Team News


Ivan Cleary has decided to rest his son Nathan for this match along with team captain Isiah Yeo after they both backed up for the Panthers after Origin. 

Penrith will welcome back a couple of their Origin stars with Dylan Edwards slotting back in at fullback and Brian To’o resuming on the wing.

Dain Laurie will come off the bench, Paul Alamoti will slot into the centres with Izack Tago suspended. Brad Schneider will remain at halfback in Cleary’s absence. Isaiah Papalii will start at lock for Yeo, while Scott Sorensen will come into the back row.

Penrith Panthers Team List


1. Dylan Edwards  
2. Thomas Jenkins 
3. Paul Alamoti 
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To'o 
6. Blaize Talagi 
7. Brad Schneider
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny 
10. Lindsay Smith 
11. Scott Sorensen 
12. Luke Garner 
13. Isaiah Papalii 

Interchange
14. Daine Laurie
15. Liam Henry 
16. Luron Patea
17. Matthew Eisenhuth 

Reserves
18. Jack Cole
19. Luke Sommerton 
20. Mavrik Geyer 
21. Harrison Hassett
​​​​​​​22. Preston Riki

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis 


It is unusual for teams that are steered by Wayne Bennet to be so poor defensively as the 2025 Rabbitohs are, but they do have their excuses for their 0-6 run as they look to be set in the battle for the spoon. 

The simple fact is they have been terrorised with outs all season, struggling with injuries and constantly needing to reshuffle to try and survive. It hasn’t worked and they are ranked last in the NRL in run metres, linebreaks and territory which are all stats we weight heavily in our predictions.

Ranking so low, the Rabbits have leaked 33 points per game in their last 5 matches which is the most of any team in the comp.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News


Latrell Mitchell returns to fullback after Origin with Alex Johnston returning to the wing. 

Unfortunately, Souths will be without Cody Walker again and Campbell Graham was once again added to the injury list and will be covered by Isiah Tass with Tallis Duncan remains in the centres. 

Siliva Havili comes back into No. 9 while Jack Wighton stays at five-eighth.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List


1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston  
3. Isaiah Tass 
4. Tallis Duncan
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Jack Wighton 
7. Jamie Humphreys
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Siliva Havili
10. Keaon Koloamatangi
11. Euan Aitken
12. Jacob Host 
13. Jai Arrow 

Interchange
14. Peter Mamouzelos
15. Lachlan Hubner  
16. Sean Keppie
17. Lewis Dodd

Reserves
18. Liam Le Blanc 
19. Thomas Fletcher 
20. Ryan Gray
21. Shaq Mitchell 
​​​​​​​22. Ammaron Gudgeon

Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

How to watch Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20?

You can watch the Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20?

To buy tickets to the Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Round 20 game check the NRL website or the official Penrith Panthers site.

Verdict

Penrith’s defence will be the difference holding south under 18.5 points which will see them cover as the favourite. Tom Jenkins will attack the weaker right side of the Rabbits line and he will cross.
Best Bet1: Penrith Panthers -8.5 Handicap/Line $1.92 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Souths Under 18.5 Team Total $1.77 at betr - 3 Units
Best Bet3: Tom Jenkins Anytime Tryscorer $1.70 at Playup - 2 Units
Best Bet4: Tom Jenkins First Tryscorer $7.50 at Elitebet - 1 Unit
Penrith Panthers -8.5
Handicap/Line
$1.92 - 2 Units
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Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs